US embassy cable - 05KINSHASA551

C O N F I D E N T I A L KINSHASA 000551 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/01/2015 
TAGS: PGOV, PHUM, PREL, MARR, MOPS, CG 
SUBJECT: GUATEMALAN PEACEKEEPERS DEPLOY TO KISANGANI 
 
REF: GUATEMALA 828 
 
Classified By: Poloff Gons Nachman for Reasons 1.4 B and D 
 
1. (C) Summary. MONUC deployed a contingent of 105 Guatemalan 
special forces trained in counter-insurgency to Kisangani 
March 29 to serve as a highly mobile unit for crisis 
situations around the country. End Summary. 
 
2. (C) A MONUC military source in Kisangani told poloff that 
a contingent of Guatemalan special forces had arrived at 
Divisional Headquarters in Kisangani March 29. According to 
the source, this unit consists of 105 elite soldiers trained 
in counter-insurgency in the tropical jungles of Guatemala. 
They have sophisticated weapons and communications equipment 
and will function as a highly mobile asset ready to be 
deployed to any part of the Congo for crisis situations. 
 
3. (C) The MONUC source said this unit could be very 
effective if used in appropriate situations, such as 
capturing militia leaders and freeing hostages, adding that 
"MONUC should not let politics get in the way of effective 
use of this force." According to him, MONUC's military staff 
in Kisangani were quite impressed by the unit's credentials, 
motivation, and equipment, and felt this asset gives MONUC 
much-needed operational flexibility. 
 
4. (C) A Guatemalan milob who traveled with his special 
forces colleagues told poloff March 29 Guatemalan soldiers 
were looking forward to service in the DRC and that all of 
them had received substantial orientation on 
non-fraternization and sexual conduct issues. He said the 
Guatemalan contingent was highly disciplined, and did not 
expect any problems during their deployment in the Congo. 
MEECE